Rometty, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and electrical engineering from Northwestern, has been ranked number one in Fortune magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” for the last three years. In February, she was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Bob Brown is a news editor for Network World, blogs about network research, and works most closely with our staff's wireless/mobile reporters. Email me at bbrown@nww.com with story tips or comments on this post.